Wylie Writes @ Inside Out 2014: Who’s Tired of Vagina Wolf?

There’s nothing more obnoxious than a movie that thinks its being clever. Enter Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf?, an indie with all the self-absorption of Michael Urie’s He’s Way More Famous Than You helmed by Anna Margarita Albelo who wishes to become Lena Dunham through eccentric styles and a hipster soundtrack.

Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf? has writer/director Albelo playing an exaggerated version of herself. She’s a free spirit who procrastinates and wants to get her love life and her film career off the ground. After being awoken out of her daze by the striking Katia (played by Janina Gavankar), she pushes herself to conceive a post-feminist adaptation of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf? seeks a lot of attention as much as its needy lead, but we can’t help but feel turned off from the whole ordeal. The humour in the film didn’t hit home runs for me – or even bunts to first base – because it’s comedic sights are only directed to those working on the movie. I have no doubt everyone making Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf? had fun on set. I just wish that energy included the audience as well.

If Abelo was more savvily considerate, her film could’ve joined the giddy ranks of films about egomaniacs dictating a production – Hamlet 2 and Danny Roane: First Time Director are just a couple of great examples.

It’s hard to believe, but the filmmaker’s attitude finds a bit of redemption. Abelo’s film is no where as smug or mean as it could’ve been, and it’s easy to see the humble flick was made with the best intentions. Albelo’s decisions are the wrong ones, but she doesn’t know any better. Therefore, it’s easier to forget about this fumble than to get mad about it.